the Trash vitae

Trash is the editor-in-chief of an independent Colorado micro-publisher/ design studio. I dabble in digital photography, the lost art of film image making, and guerilla digital video. DrMAC Studios specializes in books and videos on self-reliance, gardening, dumpster diving, urban foraging and living off the excesses of others.
This blog documents my daily experiences with the rest of the world

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Tighten Your belt in the Kitchen



I couldnt help but showing off this pic. No its not the Trash clan. But it expresses the united family front that needs to occur so we all can survive the coming events. Food is a treasure that is a vital essential in the lifestyle. Never pass on the opportunities that abound top recover those treasures and use them to your full advantage.

Here are some tips for you with some additional commentary directe towards my fellow freegans..:

1. Ditch prepared meals right now (unless of course they are found at the dumpster , in which case GO FOR IT)

Consumers have been led to believe that they don't have the time to cook and it simply isn't true. You can have a healthy meal on the table within half an hour. Prepared meals have more fat, more sugar, more salt, more preservatives, and more garbage waste than anything you can cook yourself.

2. Plan ahead:
Yes, this is going to take a bit of effort, but once you get going it will be easy. Make sure you have a well stocked pantry. Canned or dry legumes, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes should all be on hand to make quick, nutritious meals.

3. Plan your week (and make alloowances for the dumpie finds): Take the time to work out a menu plan for the week. Most people grocery shop once a week (we go once a month) and they toss things into their carts, without considering what they really need. If you know what you are going to eat, and you have the right ingredients, you'll be less likely to call for takeout, or head out to the fast food joint. Then again if the dumpster haul brings you an occasional already made meal and salad thank the heavenly one and chow down.

4. Cook more meatless meals: Meat will consistently be the most expensive food item in your grocery cart. The ready availability of other protein sources allows you to expand your food repertoire and have a healthier diet.

5. If you do use meat, use less: no one needs a 10-ounce steak. Cut back on the amount of meat that you cook and increase the amount of vegetables for each serving. (At the Trash stead Mrs Trash can take 2 pounds of ground turkey meat and make it a filling meal for the Trash clan. Even 2 chicken breasts properly cut up and mixed with rice and veggies can feed all five of us.

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